What does the BRAT diet consist of?

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The BRAT diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. This bland diet is often recommended to children and adults with an upset stomach, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Bland foods do not aggravate the lining of the stomach and are good for those who cannot keep food down.

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FamilyDoctor.org states that the BRAT diet is good whenever there is vomiting and diarrhea present. The bland diet is easier on the stomach, plus it provides certain key elements like vitamins in the banana and low amounts of fiber in the toast. Since there are not enough nutrients to withstand the diet long term, it is recommended that people follow it short term. While the BRAT diet was once a pediatric diet, children are now shown to need additional foods on top of the bananas, rice, applesauce and toast to get the nutrients and vitamins needed for proper growth.

Wikipedia adds that those who are following a bland diet like the BRAT diet should always drink plenty of fluids to keep the body from becoming dehydrated. These fluids should include electrolytes so that the body is not depleted of salt. A salt depletion in the body can result in weakness, confusion, coma and death.